How to ask your doctor for weight loss pills: 7 questions

If you’re wondering how to ask your doctor for weight loss pills, the good news is it’s probably easier than you think. Many healthcare providers will prescribe weight loss medication if clinical criteria are met and they determine it’s safe and helpful to do so (alongside dietary and lifestyle changes, of course).  

But with numerous options to choose from, it’s important to get a prescription for a pill that fits your goals and will be safe for you to take. Here are ten questions to ask your doctor for weight loss pills.  

If you’re nervous about initiating the conversation with your healthcare provider, preparing what you want to say ahead of time might ease your anxiety. The questions below will help you make sure you and your doctor decide on the best treatment to suit your weight loss goals, lifestyle, budget, and other health considerations.

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1. Am I a good candidate for weight loss pills?

Weight loss pills are generally recommended for people who have already tried to lose weight through diet and exercise and have been unsuccessful. Weight loss pills are meant to be used alongside healthy eating and physical activity.

Weight loss pills are usually approved for use in people with either obesity or with overweight and a weight-related health condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea). 

To determine if you fall into one of these categories, your doctor may measure your body mass index, or BMI. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obesity, while a BMI of 27 to 30 is considered overweight.

Besides measuring your BMI, your provider will likely want to know about your previous experiences trying to lose weight, and what has (or hasn’t) worked in the past. 

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2. Are weight loss pills safe for me, based on my other health conditions or medications?

You should come to your appointment prepared to share information about your existing medical conditions and, if relevant, how your weight has impacted those issues, says Eric Smith, DO, bariatric surgeon and medical director of POP Recovery Systems. 

You’ll also want to bring information about any medications or supplements you currently take, to give your provider a full picture of your health. This is essential for determining which weight loss pills are safe for you to take. 

Some weight loss pills should not be taken by people who have certain health conditions or take certain medications. For example, oral GLP-1s like Foundayo (orforglipron) and the Wegovy pill (semaglutide) should not be taken by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer. 

Some pills, like Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate) or Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone) should not be taken by people who are currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). And, in general, weight loss pills are not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

These are just a few examples, which is why it’s important to review your full medical history, medications, and health goals with a healthcare provider.

3. What weight loss results can I expect from a pill? 

Newer oral GLP-1s like Foundayo and the Wegovy pill have produced significant weight loss in clinical trials: up to 11.2% for Foundayo and up to 13.6% with Wegovy in adults without diabetes. 

With traditional weight loss pills, on the other hand, the “typical weight loss seen is between 5%–7% of body weight, although we can see more depending upon individual response,” says Richa Mittal, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and founder of Radiant Health Dallas. 

In real life, these results can vary from person to person, depending on your starting body weight, the pill and dosage you’re prescribed, and other factors like your lifestyle and underlying health conditions. For example, those with diabetes tend to experience less weight loss with weight loss pills compared to those without diabetes.

When meeting with your doctor about weight loss pills, it’s important to both share your weight loss goals and understand how a pill (if appropriate) can help you meet them.

This could be a specific number you’d like to see on the scale or something less data-driven, like, “I’d like to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without feeling winded,” or “I’d like to lower my risk of cardiovascular disease.” 

“Patients should share their motivations [for weight loss], including medical issues like joint pain, fatigue, fertility struggles, reflux, or more serious coexisting conditions like diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, or PCOS,” Dr. Smith says. “It’s okay to express self-esteem concerns, as mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being.”

4. What are the side effects or risks of weight loss pills? 

Beyond weight loss, it’s helpful to know how a pill will make you feel day to day. You’ll want to ask your doctor what kind of side effects you can expect, how long they might last, and when to know if something is serious and needs medical attention.

With GLP-1 weight loss pills, gastrointestinal side effects are common, especially at the beginning of treatment and when increasing your dose. These may include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach pain. With appetite suppressants like Qsymia or Contrave, nausea, numbness/tingling, dizziness, sleep issues, and dry mouth may occur.

Different weight loss pills carry different side effects and risks. This is one reason why it’s important to share your full health history — and all medications or supplements you’re taking — with your prescribing provider. This helps them determine if any pills are off-limits for you.

5. What diet and lifestyle changes would I need to make? 

Weight loss pills are recommended for use in combination with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Ask your provider what changes you should make to your diet and exercise routine, such as which foods to avoid or if there’s a specific exercise regimen they recommend.

Before recommending dietary changes, your provider might ask about the types of food you eat, how often you eat throughout the day, and which food cravings you have, if any. If you have a couple of weeks before your appointment, now is a great time to begin tracking your daily diet so you’re ready with this information when your healthcare provider asks for it. 

Your doctor will also likely ask about your physical activity and may suggest exercises for weight loss. A large review study from 2021 concluded that exercise training improves body weight and body composition in adults with overweight or obesity. Exercising can also reduce your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and depression. 

Don’t be surprised if your provider asks questions about things like how you manage stress, how well you sleep, if you smoke tobacco or consume other drugs, or anything else that might help them understand what’s going on with your weight loss journey. 

“We want to address the whole you, so please come prepared with knowledge of all of your lifestyle choices,” says Supriya Rao, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine. 

6. Would I need to take a weight loss pill long-term? 

Some weight loss pills, like phentermine, are only intended for short-term use. Others, like Xenical (orlistat), Qsymia, and Contrave, can be taken longer. And some, such as Wegovy or Foundayo, are generally intended for long-term use. That’s because once you stop taking them, it can be difficult to maintain the weight loss with lifestyle changes alone.

That brings up another related question you may want to ask your doctor about weight loss pills: “What happens when I stop taking the pill?”

Typically, when people stop taking weight loss pills, any side effects they were experiencing tend to go away as the drug clears their system. But there can be a risk of weight regain. For example, studies have found that after people stopped taking Wegovy, they regained up to two-thirds of the weight they had initially lost within one year.

When talking to your doctor about weight loss pills, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and consider how long you’ll need to take a pill, what happens if you stop, and what the process looks like for stopping.

7. Which pill (if any) is covered by my insurance?

Beyond your health goals, you may want to consider your budget, too. In general, weight loss medication is less likely to be covered by insurance. 

With Medicare, medications prescribed solely for weight loss are not currently covered — though this may change. The Wegovy pill, for example, can also be prescribed to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke in people with heart disease and obesity or overweight. For this indication, it can be covered by Medicare. 

If cost is a concern, it’s smart to check your insurance coverage before committing to a pill. If insurance isn’t an option, you may want to ask your doctor about any savings programs or ways to get these medications for less. 

Some medications can be purchased for lower self-pay prices when processed without insurance at specific pharmacies. For example, you can get both Foundayo and the Wegovy pill on Ro starting at $149 per month.

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If you don’t have a medical background, navigating weight loss pill options can feel overwhelming. Having an idea of different medications available and how they work alongside a healthy diet and exercise routine will be valuable in your conversation with your healthcare provider. Here’s a breakdown to help you prepare. 

Weight loss pills 

The weight loss pills you should be aware of going into your conversation are: 

• Wegovy pill (semaglutide). This is an oral GLP-1 that you take once daily in the morning with up to 4 ounces of water. You should wait at least  30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications. As a GLP-1, it works by mimicking a gut hormone that slows down digestion, reduces appetite, and increases your sense of fullness.

• Foundayo (orforglipron). This is another oral GLP-1, so it works similarly to the Wegovy pill. However, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.

• Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion). Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that’s typically used to treat alcohol and opioid use disorders, while bupropion is an antidepressant that’s also used to curb smoking. This combination works by activating brain pathways that reduce appetite and food cravings. 

• Adipex-P (phentermine). This appetite suppressant is approved by the FDA for short-term use for up to 12 weeks, though some healthcare providers prescribe it off-label for longer-term use.  

• Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate). This medication combines phentermine, an appetite suppressant, with topiramate, a medication whose exact weight-loss mechanism is not fully understood but is thought to reduce appetite and enhance satiety.

• Xenical and/or Alli (orlistat). These weight loss pills work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from the food you eat. Xenical is prescription-only. Alli is an over-the-counter, lower-dose version of the same medication. 

When should you ask about weight loss pills? 

You are likely a good candidate for weight loss pills if you’re over 18 and meet either of the following criteria: 

• Obesity with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more

• Overweight with a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or more, along with a weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol

Dr. Smith says that people may choose weight loss pills when other options (e.g. weight loss injections, surgery) are cost-prohibitive or not covered by insurance. Other reasons he says a person might opt for pills over injections are if the side effects from injections are intolerable or if they have an aversion to needles.

In addition to gathering the information mentioned earlier in this article and researching common weight loss drugs, you can take a few more steps to prepare for your appointment. Write down some notes on which weight loss options interest you and why.  

“It’s essential for patients to ask their healthcare provider comprehensive and detailed questions, especially if this information is not offered upfront,” Dr. Smith says. 

To recap, here are some of the questions you may want to ask during your appointment:

• Am I a good candidate for weight loss pills?

• Are weight loss pills safe for me, based on my other health conditions or medications? 

• What weight loss results can I expect from a pill? 

• What are the side effects or risks of weight loss pills? And how common are they?

• What diet and lifestyle changes would I need to make? 

• Would I need to take a weight loss pill long-term? 

• Which pill (if any) is covered by my insurance? 

• What will this medication cost with and without insurance?

• What happens if I stop taking it? Will I regain the weight I lost?

• If my insurance stops covering it, what are my options?

• Does your office provide support for these changes, such as nutritional counseling, exercise planning, or mental health services?

Yes, your primary care provider can prescribe weight loss pills and injectable medications. However, they may refer you to an obesity medicine specialist, bariatric surgeon, or endocrinologist if your case is particularly complex, according to Dr. Smith. 

“Specialists often have the experience to optimize dosing and manage potential side effects,” he notes. “They are also more likely to provide or coordinate the necessary support systems, such as nutrition counseling, exercise planning, and mental health support, to ensure long-term success.”

If your provider won’t prescribe weight loss medication, Dr. Smith recommends approaching the situation with open communication. 

“First, ask your physician for their reasoning — whether it’s due to medical contraindications, other health concerns, or their professional perspective on your specific case,” Dr. Smith says. “You have the right to understand their rationale and feel comfortable with their explanation.” 

Dr. Rao notes that a healthcare provider may not prescribe weight loss medication to you if you have an eating disorder, are pregnant, or have certain medical conditions. 

Dr. Mittal adds that people who are underweight, have a normal range of body fat percentage, or just want to lose a few pounds for “aesthetic” purposes are generally not good candidates for medication. 

If your provider won’t prescribe weight loss pills or injections, ask them if weight loss is appropriate for you, and if so, which weight loss strategies they recommend. You can also ask them when you might begin to see a change. Schedule your follow-up appointment so they can stay up-to-date on how their recommendations are working for you. 

If you think your provider doesn’t support weight loss medications simply because they don’t believe in them, it may be time to seek another opinion, Dr. Smith says. “Look for a provider who will take the time to discuss your concerns, provide evidence-based guidance, and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.”

Check for free

Weight loss medication is a valid option for many people, especially those who have struggled to lose weight through other methods. There’s no shame in speaking with your healthcare provider about your options, and you may feel more confident doing so if you go into your appointment feeling prepared. 

• Be prepared to speak with your healthcare provider about all aspects of your lifestyle. Your healthcare provider will likely ask you questions about your motivations for losing weight, other weight loss methods you’ve tried, your typical diet and exercise routine, your mental health, your alcohol consumption, and other factors. 

• Come to your appointment with an idea of the questions you’d like to ask your provider. Experts recommend asking about the side effects, cost, necessary lifestyle changes, when you can expect to see results, and what may happen if you discontinue the medication.

• Together, you and your healthcare provider can determine which weight loss pill (if any) works best for you, your lifestyle, your goals, and your budget. Effective options include oral GLP-1s like the Wegovy pill and Foundayo, as well as orlistat, Qsymia, Contrave, and phentermine.